Matthew 5:9

"Happy are the peacemakers, because they will be called children of this sense of placing."  What does it take to be happy in this life?  Jesus notes, in Matthew 5, a number of qualities and traits of those whose lives are marked by a deep sense of fulfilment. Here, in Authentic Teaching of Jesus (quoting from Holy Wind Living Breath New Testament), it is those whose lives make for peace, who are blessed. Too often we heed the voices of war rather than listening deeply to the call for peacemaking. In chapter 24 of Matthew, page 61 of Authentic Teaching of Jesus, we read this reminder, "And you will hear of the necessity of wars, and arguments for wars.  Be perceptive and you will not be troubled...But maturity is not yet here." We live in a culture of empire.  We do, indeed, hear many persuasive arguments for warfare. And much of our religious power structure has become an integral part of the war machine. Maturity is not yet here for our world.  Jesus' call, to those who are learning, is to find true joy in working for peace.  They will become children of a deep sense of placing, of purpose in this life.